GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Some North Carolina lawmakers say they were surprised and miffed by fellow Republican Gov. Pat McCrory’s announcement that he’s seeking legislation to beef up government oversight of coal ash dumps.
State Sen. Tom Apodaca and Rep. Chuck McGrady are Republicans from Hendersonville working to write a new law. Both said they were surprised by McCrory’s announcement after believing they were working together with the governor.
Lawmakers started working after a massive spill at a Duke Energy power plant near Greensboro coated the Dan River in toxic sludge.
Apodaca says he’ll propose legislation tougher than what McCrory outlined, including deadlines for removing waste from some pits.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources spokesman Drew Elliott says agency officials see the proposal as a starting point that legislators can revamp.
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